Diocese: Mysore
Pioneers: Sisters Servella Rodrigues, Beatrice D’Silva and Cressy D’Souza.
The Ursuline Franciscan Congregation was restricted topographically to South Kanara for almost seventy years ever since its foundation in 1887. In 1956, Sr Genevieve Castelino, the Superior General, opened avenues to the Sisters to extend their services in Mysore. However, Sr Ernestine D’Almeida as the Superior General for two consecutive terms (1968-1980) can claim the credit for grounding the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the most rural areas of the district of Mysore. She opened several convents in remote areas of the district.
The arrival of the Sisters at HD Kote (Heggadadevana Kote) can be described as a sequel to their presence in Christa Raj Convent at Naganahalli: Bishop Mathias Fernandes, Bishop of Mysore had already envisioned taking the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to HD Kote when they were established in Naganahalli as early as 1964. HD Kote, a backward village in the district of Mysore, with people just eking out a living was chosen by the Sisters as their mission station on June 2, 1978. The Sisters were of course not new to the place: while being in Naganahalli, they were commuting to HD Kote on account of official work of the school as HD Kote was the headquarters of the taluk of the same name. Besides, on Sundays, they attended the church services at HD Kote.
At their arrival, they resided in the newly inaugurated church building. They had no time to waste. They got into action: nursery class was commenced on the same day of their arrival. With the assistance of local people, pupils and the funding agency MISSIO, a school as well as a convent building was erected within a year in the five-acre land bought by Sisters Adelfi D’Souza and Beatrice D’Silva. With their diverse talents and aptitudes, the Sisters shone as true witnesses. Sr Servella animated the community, supervised the construction work and managed the school curriculum. The Kannada medium school established in 1978, grades up to class VII at present. Sr Beatrice, a nurse by profession walked several miles to villages attending to the health needs of people. Gradually, a dispensary was opened in the parlour of the convent in order to attend to the sick arriving at the residence of the Sisters. Sr Cressy trained efficiently women and girls in skills for tailoring and embroidery.
The Sisters were well aware of the value of education in empowering people. They upgraded the nursery into a higher primary school in the subsequent years. Sr Beatrice replaced the structure of the school. Sr Eva Pinto, Superior of St Mary Convent further took take care of the school renovation.
In 1993, responding to the insistence of people, the Sisters started a higher primary English medium school. In order to cater to children from remote areas, a school bus was arranged in 1995. The diocese instructed the Sisters to upgrade the school to high school; however, due to a school administered by Adichunchanagiri Swamiji in the vicinity, the Sisters had to drop the proposal. Currently the Sisters impart education to children through St Mary Aided Kannada Medium School and St Mary Unaided English Medium Higher Primary School.
The land the Sisters had purchased was arid. Sr Eva bored a well and initiated plantation. Later, during the tenure of Sr Gratia Pinto, teak, coconut palms and fruit trees have been planted in the property. Of the two acres of land purchased by Sr Beatrice D’Silva a part has been sold; however, the land lay fallow due to dispute between the parish priest and the purchaser of the plot. Sr Jyothi Fernandes, the Provincial Superior donated half-an acre land to the parish church at the request of Fr David Sagayaraj; it is being utilized as a burial ground. It is certainly a noble gesture on the part of the Sisters in enabling people to rest in peace.
As recounted by the Sisters themselves, they had for a while overlooked their responsibility towards the marginalized both socially and economically. The responsibility was reclaimed through the mediation of Fr Claude D’Souza SJ He arranged for the arrival of Fr Patrick Langue SJ and a group of students from France; they assisted in the construction of Spoorthi Kendra, which was designed to provide Grihini training, organize several self-help groups, tailoring classes and computer training for adolescent girls and women. The Sisters reach out to people especially by conscientizing them on rights and duties.
Likewise, the medical apostolate was revised through the construction and inauguration of St Mary Community Health Centre on July 21, 2004. Don Francesco Saverio Bazzoffi, an Italian priest, and his Associates have been instrumental in achieving the milestone. Simultaneously, with the assistance of Don Francesco a foundation stone was laid for a hospital to accommodate 80 inpatients at a time. This structure in a way broadened the horizons of the Sisters’ mission. Subsequently it emerged as a new community under the name Sanjeevini.
The school building constructed thirty years ago certainly needed a face-lift due to its dilapidated condition. On February 9, 2008 the foundation stone was laid for the St Mary Kannada Medium School. Fr Patrick Langue, Fr Christian Mellon, French Students, Don Francesco and Associates have made the project a reality through contribution of finance and every physical labour. The newly constructed building was inaugurated on January 23, 2009. St Mary Higher Primary School has been a witness to the great work of Sisters Lumina D’Souza, Monthi Lobo and Benvita D’Souza. Sr Benvita enhanced the prominence of the school by her talents for scouts, guides and bulbuls; these extra-curricular activities continue to thrive in the school. In 1995 St Mary Convent was renovated and a floor was added to the existing building.
St Mary Convent at HD Kote has been a success story due mainly to its apostolic extension in the service of the marginalized. Precisely because of this dimension the Sisters experience a sense of contentment in their ministry. Their trials in the pursuit of their mission have taught them to accept life as it is – with joys and sorrows. Among other things the community has witnessed the passing away of Sr Wenscy D’Souza unexpectedly on May 19, 2009 after a brief illness.